Scene #8426: The Courage to Believe in Others

Owner	Pose
Hibiki Tachibana	Well, it's not /exactly/ 'next time' there's lunch, but it's close enough. Hibiki doesn't tend to eat inside the cafeteria itself, usually, as opposed to one of Lydian Private Music Academy's free-to-loiter-on rooftops, or on the verdant grass surrounding the campus. But she does once in a while, when there's a mood for a more lively break rather than a quiet one. The place is, after all, honestly kind of huge; the ceiling has to be a couple stories high, there are walkways leading up to a higher sections that overlook the lower half, and towering windows making up three of the room's four walls offer a great view of the rest of the Academy, the city beyond, and the shining sun. In the wake of the whole event with the Servant of Wrath and the Hermit of the Azure Forest, though, things seem...almost surprisingly normal. Some of that credit might go to the fact that it's been somewhere around an entire week and a half since then, but it's also true that thanks to everyone's efforts, nobody (from here, at least) was actually harmed. Although something happening at Lydian itself is rare, they all ultimately live in a world where Noise attacks can happen anywhere, at any time. And all things considered, getting away from that with nothing more than some damage that can be fixed in a day is incredibly lucky. In the background hum of countless girls chatting amongst each other, there's definitely all sorts of gossip and talk still going on about it - but life goes on, even while far underground this very spot, the defenders of that daily life are hard at work. Hibiki, in her worn-looser-than-usual school uniform, is looking better than she has been today, too. A little more cleaned up, seeming as if she hasn't been shirking on sleep...and with her appetite back, judging from the pile of rice and several extra-large taiyaki making up her meal. She's gone and secured a table on a higher floor of the cafeteria, right next to the railing letting them peek down below. Far enough away from all the din to talk casually, but it still feels nice and busy.
Angela	The child once believed in others besides herself but she learned quickly that blindly trusting a wolf would mean becoming its next meal. And so it was only natural she would harmonize with a story about the pain of trusting foolishly. But a story is just a story and even if you can empathize with the rage, it is ever more difficult to mantain it. A story can be angry forever, but a person's heat trends towards cooling. Instead the child... Rose ended up with a hammer EGO weapon and a green and white uniform that she hasn't so much as put on. She put it away in her locker and looks at it, and thinks about how Beozzi nearly ended up, and then spends another day not putting it on. She's still using the school uniform as per regulation. The mouth full of sharp teeth? Well, so long as it doesn't bother anyone else. Rose hasn't covered it back up with the shawl anymore in a concession towards herself. Rose is also getting comfortable at 'a school' in general. She never received traditional schooling. She makes her way to the cafeteria. The din, the noise (lower case) is a bit of a bother for her even after character development--but she takes the time to scan for and find Hibiki up there on the higher level. Rose makes her way up with her tray, pulls out a chair and-- "Oh--ah, howdy--you don't mind if I sit across from you, do ya pardner?" She awkwardly stands there until Hibiki says it's fine. If she doesn't, she'll just continue to stand there awkwardly, however.
Hibiki Tachibana	When Rose pulls up, Hibiki pauses for a moment as she glances up at her. It's not because she needs to consider the question at all - the answer to that one is natural, as far as she's concerned. It's more like...well, seeing her standing there like that, it sort of reminds her of a different time. But that's then, and this is now. "'Course I don't mind. We were gonna get lunch together sometime anyway, weren't we?" She puts on a tiny smile and nods her head towards the pulled-out seat. Rose showing up also seems to get her to ease up on how she's sitting - must have been thinking about something or another before she got here. Honestly, Rose has probably gotten a lot less trouble over her teeth than she likely thought she would. It's a little frightening for ordinary schoolgirls to look at from afar, for sure. That sort of thing isn't exactly ordinary - but actually talking with her is anything but scary. And the majority of the girls here sure seem to put more importance on that than how she looks. Maybe some of them could just tell she was conscious about them. Hibiki included, who hasn't missed the fact that the shawl is gone. "...Things have changed for you too since those two showed up here, huh?" It sounds like she means that in a good way.
Angela	"Guess so." Rose says. She taps at the side of her mouth. "Ever since I got this Gift," She calls it a Gift despite her self-conciousnesss about them. "Been faster and tougher and stronger even if it ain't a pretty thing. But I could still barely keep up against that Hermit. If you hadn't jumped in, I'd've been a goner for sure." She is more comfortable here really than back at Lobotomy Corp where the ladies would gush over how spooky and withdrawn she was like it was something she should be proud of. They thought how she became was 'cool'. Rose's shoulders push up a bit as she adds, "They don't figure I'm really needed here anymore since the odds of a second one attacking this place are pretty minute--and honestly, I can't say y'all need me or nothin'. Y'all handled it like champs." She doesn't say 'but' but there's an invisible lingering one there. "You have multidimensional students 'ere before? Y'all seem like you're used to folk like me."
Hibiki Tachibana	"A Gift..." Hibiki seems like she mulls that over for a second, before shaking her head. "I dunno how well I would have done by myself, either. Sougo and Woz...no, everyone who came to help. You, too. I'm really glad you were there too, Rose. You guys...really handle things like that as part of your job. That can't be easy." Says the magical girl. Or maybe she said that because she's one, while Rose has to make do with EGO. She pauses for a moment to scarf down a bundle of rice - though her eyes stay on Rose even as she shovels it down. Mostly because of her clearly wanting to add on. When she does, Hibiki swallows and considers for a bit. "...Yeah, actually. There was a whole thing where, uh...someone tried to take my friend's identity and place. Right in the middle of a concert, too. But he learned he doesn't gotta try to be someone he's not, for people to appreciate him, and he enrolled after." Hibiki closes her eyes, probably taking in the memory of whatever happened back then. "But besides that, everybody here is..." Pause. "...Nice. And accepting. Probably the best school anybody could ask for. Way better than my old one, that's for sure. That, and I guess the Noise just being a part of life here helps when it comes to not being surprised about stuff."
Angela	"Ah, don't get me wrong, pardner." Rose says. "It doesn't come in some gift wrapped box." Well usually it doesn't. "A Gift's just a sign of a strong connection between you and an Abnormality. There's no right of refusal--though if you're that close, why, you probably wouldn't wanna." She raises an eyebrow at Hibiki's story wiht her friend. It's true that magical girls really aren't like how the Lobotomy Corp imagines them to be (though in some ways, maybe they're a bit more similar than the Lorbos think). "'Bout the Noise, how dangerous do you think those critters are to someone like me? I don't have no proper training against that kind of opponent but I know the Temptations, for instance, don't exactly work the same with Outsiders as locals." She honestly would rather...not talk about work but it's eaiser for her than like, asking about music lessons. She doesn't seem too surprised that Hibiki would like this place better than her old one. Makes two of them. "...Hey Bikki," Rose says after a moment. "You think those SONG types would mind it if I stuck around 'ere long term? I like it here, out here, and well--I don't want to cause a conflict with my employers or nothin' but... I like the people here too." Rose's thumb and ring finger rub against one another anxiously.
Hibiki Tachibana	"...Yeah, I guess you wouldn't. If it's the sign of a bond you have, that's something important." Hibiki nods, her face a little more serious. It makes her wonder what Abnormality she would have that sort of connection with - and it makes how a couple of the other Lobotomy Corporation agents she's seen suddenly make more sense. Rose's anxiety isn't easy to miss either, and Hibiki rubs at her own cheek with a finger while mulling over both questions. "The Noise..." Her lips a purse a bit. "...most Elites are made of tougher stuff than a normal person. So getting touched usually isn't the end of the world. I think it's more like that, instead of being from another world having much to do with it." "Normal people--even me, if I wasn't transformed...aren't so lucky. So I don't really know. I think maybe that EGO gear you guys use would protect you, though. Probably let you hurt them, too. That's just my guess, though. Mundane stuff barely does a thing, but..." Well, Lobotomy Corp's equipment is hardly mundane. The second thing Rose asks takes her a little off guard. But only a little. "You really want to? ...I don't think they'd have a problem with it at all. You were here fighting for our sake, you know." Hibiki shakes her head for emphasis. She can't be a hundred percent sure about that - not with the trouble they've been dealing with in the upper parts of the government, at least. But she knows the Commander, and everyone at S.O.N.G. And she knows they wouldn't. "But...are you worried Angela and the other Sephirah might have have one?" She doesn't know much about the hard details of Lobotomy Corp's employment - but between stuff she's gleaned over time and chatting with Hod, she has enough of something resembling an idea to ask. "I guess--this has to be a lot different compared to things back at your home, isn't it?"
Angela	"That," Rose says, the tenor of her voice changing ever so slightly. "And the Abnormality wouldn't take too kindly to it. But I guess that's the same with people too. Just most people won't eat three of your friends if you say no thanks." Usually? Yeah, sure, so long as she doesn't say it's all the time. She nods once to the explanation. Even without EGO she is a little bit tougher than normal folk though that's due to the augments she got working her way up as a Fixer. It's not like people born of natural stuff in the Backstreets are any tougher than any normie elsewhere without a little aid from somewhere or something. "If I didn't have anythin' of theirs, they probably wouldn't mind but even if L Corp's one of the nicer Wings," A fact that might horrify Hibiki one day. Or now. "They wouldn't really fancy me taking their propietary tech over. And EGO Gear once bonded--tough to seperate." She exhales. "Course, I mean, once they finish their grand plan they're clearly rearin' up for, maybe they won't care so much about an agent in the multiverse with some junk that doesn't belong to 'er." She shakes her head. "For now, I imagine they'd be happy to let me work around 'ere until they fill they've fulfilled their promise to SONG. And that might be a while." And she might die battling the Noise or whatever other magical girl nonsense happens--but if that happens it won't be her problem anymore. "...It's funny how folks are treatin' her like she's the boss, but she's just a secretary for the Manager and the big guy A." Rose smiles without mirth. "Anyway, the usual retirement plan is going off to Malkuth and letting her finish you off--I'm not that clever." ''This has to be a lot different compared to things back at your home, isn't it?'' "Yeah." Rose admits. "I mean, I never had proper schoolin' before. I went right into Fixer work so long as I strong enough to swing a knife around. Had a rough time at one of the Offices but I lucked out and got employment at L. 'Course, in retrospect, didn't exactly realize what I was in for but it beat dyin', mostly."
Hibiki Tachibana	"...Mmn." If the Servant of Wrath was any indication for how breached Abnormalities tend to go...yeah, she can certainly imagine that giving one of them a 'no' wouldn't go over great. A gift that cannot be refused...although 'same with people' isn't really wrong either. The Magical Girl of Courage was still a person, after all, underneath all that wrath. So maybe it's better to say that it's because Abnormalities are just that...extreme. What little she knows of them, anyway. Still, she frowns a bit. If Lobotomy Corp is one of the nicer ones, what are the worse ones like...? The horror will definitely hit sometime in the near future, that's for sure. With a decent bit now, as a treat. "Malkuth, 'finishing someone off'...? I heard you guys aren't allowed to leave where you work, except for missions, but..." Hibiki's expression scrunches up a bit. It looks like there's plenty she wants to say about that - but focusing the subject on that, when she's finally having this lunch with Rose...souring it would feel wrong. Although talking about someone's past is heavy enough as is, really. "So you've had it rough your whole life...and that's how you eventually ended up there. And here. Guess nobody could have seen you ending up here, eating lunch with me, coming. I've heard some of the other agents talk about Offices. Sounds like they come in all kinda forms...guess that's another 'same with people' sort of thing." Hibiki takes a second, glancing from her food up to Rose. "Going from that, to Lobotomy Corp, to right now...I think it's pretty normal to want to find--...somewhere safe and warm. I might not know a lot about your home, but I at least know enough to...imagine why you'd wanna stay as long as you can."
Angela	"Well," Rose admits. "The other Sephirah have their own way of doin' things and each looks after their own agents, but it's not tough to transfer teams. I guess it's easier to transfer to Upper Layers than Lower ones though being honest most folks don't want to work for Binah or Hokma. I work for Central, our job's t'be the glue that holds everything together so we hear a lot from all sorts. Tiphereth's pretty optimistic but Tiphereth--er, pardon, we have two Sephirah. Tiphereth A and Tiphereth B. They're...twins I guess? They say they are, anyway." "But I think y'know what I mean by finishing folks off though. S'how retirement works around there. Other Wings from what I hear aren't too different--unless you can get another Wing to cover you for a Transfer but doin' that sort of thing legit is real hard and they might send the Shi Association after you anyway..." Rose rubs at her neck awkwardly. "I feel like there's some kinda ''plan'' going on there that they don't want leaking out, hench why we're usually only allowed to go out on missions though some folks are happy to stick around in the belly of the beast.. That's not really why I'm tryin' to make my work here more longterm though--I didn't really mind uh, the not leaving part. But it felt... good doin' that job, rescuing those two. Like actually helping 'em out and--I feel like I can trust you to watch my back." At least mostly. Rose is still a bit hesitant to trade outfits. She knows what it means even as she feels the tug of the EGO. "...And the music lessons, not too bad you know? I didn't think I'd cotton on to that sort of thing." She at least knows enough to imagine why she'd want to stay as long as she can. She turns her head around, feeling mighty bashful. "An' I feel like we might have had some similar struggles from the way you were talkin' to Beozzi, pardner. I promise it's not just about seein' the sun again."
Hibiki Tachibana	"Whatever that plan is...has to be awfully important." And their secrets. Just the thought of that being the usual way of doing things brings a knot to her stomach. And Lobotomy Corporation is one of the nicer Wings? Malkuth and Hod both seemed nice enough, especially the latter. Gebura came across as focused and dependable. But how things look on the outside and how they really are can be miles apart. That feels more obvious than ever now. Even so--when Rose mentions trusting her, Hibiki's expression eases up from the solemn one she had on. She even chuckles quietly when she turns her head away. "...Way back when. I didn't think I could trust anyone, believe in anyone. Or maybe I just didn't want to, because it hurt too much to try. I thought the most important person to me abandoned me...and that I was all alone. That I deserved it, too. Whenever anyone went out of their way for me-- 'They didn't do that just for me. They would have done it for anybody.' Things like that. I just wanted to keep on going and lash out at everything 'til I self-destructed." Her eyes close as she continues. "But...whenever I helped someone else, it felt good deep down. When I was stuck in the rain, even when I told myself it was fine, I still wanted to be somewhere warm and sunny. Learning how to open up my heart to admit all of that again...was hard. But I'm glad I did, even if it hurt a lot to do. And I only started being able to do it again 'cause..." Hibiki trails off, opens her eyes again, and has a pretty bashful and awkward half-smile of her own as she rubs at the back of her neck. "...Sorry. I didn't wanna ramble about my life story or anything. Stuff like that is...well. Why everything with Beozzi and how their friendship ended up got me saying things without even thinking about it. And part of why all the other things going on lately has had me real sore. On top of feeling like a big idiot, letting it happen." "Just...when someone says they trust me, it means a lot. And if you think we're similar, I get the feeling it's not that easy for you to give out."
Angela	Nobody (wisely) out in the Multiverse has decided to see for themselves what life was like as an agent of LoboCorp. Sure, some ''Elites'' of the Concord paid a visit one day but that's not the same as the lived experience. Malkuth certainly is chirpy but especially lately... The Agents are a means to an end. Even if the pay is great, even if the medical care is awesome--in the end, that's the reality of it. Rose felt something a little different that day. Is that hwat you were looking for, Wolf? Something that tasted that sweet? Or something with a bit more viscera? Well, that's a lifetime ago at minimum. Rose instead listens. She's not looking directly at Hibiki. The young woman who bonded so well with the Red Hooded Merc finds this kind of talk harder to deal with than any amount of violence she could summon on her own. "Hey Bikki, you don't gotta apologize none for that--I wanted to know about you." Rose says,. That horrifying mouth manages something approximating a smile. "But you don't gotta keep on if you'd rather not." "...Bein' honest," Rose adds. "In my last office, before L Corp--I was part of a group called the Lupinus Office. And a lady there, she showed me the ropes both in battle and well--Other things. She was the world to me and that's all I felt I needed. I didn't care about rising up in the ranks, or more pay or anything. It was stable and it wasn't much--but it was my life and I was really enjoyin' it." Rose frowns. "But 'course, in any Office--there's the possibility of a job going real wrong real fast. It wasn't a Star yet so we figured it was well within our ability." She doesn't explain the proper noun there but you can get a lot from inferrence. "There was a point where she had the choice between finishing the job up and keepin' me alive and she chose finishing the job up." Rose allows a small smirk. "Still survived it, if only barely, but after that office threw me up, life got real rough for a while--'specially with the wounds I was still tenderin'. L Corp's medical does wonders, but I remember where the skin opened up." She shakes her head. "I guess... I underestimated her hunger for somethin' bigger. Bigger than what I could give. And I guess... I felt what Beozzi was sayin' too. I don't think I'd ever gone quite full on transactional like she was making it out to be, but--I mean, I figured making the rules nice and clear--the expectations nice and clear--was the way to go. Like a contract. I guess I couldn't get too mad at her either." All the other things. Rose wasn't there at the SONG meeting but you hear things. "When that lil lady--the Magical Girl of Courage--when she gave me her EGO I felt like she was tellin' me it was my turn to be brave and have the courage to believe in others again." "Maybe that's the real reason I want to stick around, more than anything, to see if I can actually meet that expectation. But I'm still afraid to put the dang gear on." She laughs, her shoulders shaking. "I trust ya, pardner--and I hope you don't mind if I take that trust one day at a time? Cause you're right. It does feel good helping folks out. It feels real good, even if givin' your heart out means they can do what they will with it and sometimes--it's nice when they treat it right too." She offers Hibiki her hand. "Seek that courage out together?"
Hibiki Tachibana	"I wouldn't be sharing it if I didn't wanna," Hibiki reassures her with that same small grin. The effort Rose puts into a smile matters more than however the mouth makes it come across, to her. "...It's not like I like thinking about it. Just the idea of going back to those days scares me to death. But it's still important stuff to remember...is how I'd put it, I guess." And when Rose offers up her own tale, Hibiki remains silent and attentive, using the chance to scarf down some more rice - more quietly than she normally does. "...The world to you..." She repeats the phrase a little solemnly, but otherwise lets her speak without any interruptions. A job that ended up being above their paygrade...and the person who meant everything to her showed her that the amount of care didn't go both ways. Not enough. Desiring more, and leaving the chewed-up meal behind. Built on that kind of foundation... Hibiki's face falls. But only for a moment, before it picks back up, and she nods. "...Thanks, Rose. For trusting in me - and being able to start trusting again, too. I know that's not easy...and it means hurting, a lot of the time." And, pushing past any doubts trying to bubble their way up, she unflinchingly reaches over to take Rose's tightly. "...One day at a time. I'm gonna do my best to make sure I can be worth that trust." Hers...and everybody else's. She can't let doubt keep ripping her apart, even if it's still there. "And I know you'll be brave enough to meet those expectations, too. So we'll lean on each other 'til we both get there."
Angela	"Yeah," Rose smiles at a sweet memory turned bitter--but not wholly so. "She was. That place was. You got someone like that, Bikki?" Maybe the person whom she thought had abandoned her--or someone else--she can't be sure. Of course, how mad can she be? She knew the rule, she knew the golden rule of all Fixers--you don't get attached. You do the job. But it's easy to say that, to understand that--and to live it. Rose couldn't. SHE could, apparently. But even so... She's now seen at least one world that doesn't have to follow that rule. She made it to a place like this. Yeah, it's natural to want to stay. But it can't just be that for Rose, she can't let Hibiki THINK that it's just that for her because then she'd feel like a bit of a Wolf herself. No. A world of people that can see past those big teeth of hers? Well, maybe not a world. But a school and-- --she always wanted to go to school. And she wants to be friends with these people. She wants friends like this and she just--likes them. That kind of hunger is a human hunger. She shakes Hibiki's hand. "One day at a time, pardner." It's true, they can't let doubt run them forever even if it follows them like a shadow. And maybe tonight she'll take that uniform and give it a try on. It'll be a step.
Hibiki Tachibana	One day at a time. One step at a time. Even if they're little ones, or they end up hurting more in the moment than anything else, putting in the effort is important all the same. That's what she has to believe--and do. "...Yeah. I do. She's the sunshine that cut through all the rainclouds." It might sound just a little cheesy. But it's said without any shame or hesitation at all, fondly and warmly. So even though Rose said it wasn't just about seeing the sun again, Hibiki still hopes she'll be able to find hers again, all the same. Although as far as she thinks, for whatever it's worth, Rose is already well on her way - and she'll help her along it as much as she can.